In this book Rebecca Devlin authoritatively handles extensive physical and textual evidence to lay out the episcopal infrastructure of late Roman Gallaecia and explore the mechanisms of the growth of episcopal control in the region. Devlin navigates conflicting imperial, religious and economic motivations of Gallaecia’s bishops, other members of the clergy, and lay patrons and economic actors, tracing their impact on the development of Gallaecia’s Christian communities and the episcopacy in the late Roman period.

Following a thorough introduction, Devlin moves on to part i, which contains case studies of bishops in late fourth-century Gallaecia and the cities associated with them: Symphosius of Astorga, Exuperantius and Ortigius of Aquis Celenis and Paternus of Braga. To frame her analysis of the episcopal infrastructure of the region, Devlin follows these bishops’ involvement in a trial during the First Council of Toledo in 400 concerning controversial episcopal ordinations that had taken place, and the aftermath thereof. Part ii moves on chronologically, looking at fifth-century Gallaecia through the lives and written works of both Paulus Orosius (who served as priest in Braga) and Hydatius, the chronicler who was also bishop of Aquae Flaviae. Part ii is followed by a conclusion, an appendix containing brief descriptions of the key members of the Gallaecian clerical community discussed in the text, an extensive bibliography and a comprehensive Index.

Among the most impactful aspects of the volume is its highlighting of the agency of members of the clergy, local elites (frequently merchants and artisans) and other actors in the development of episcopal power in the late Roman period. Devlin makes clear that in Gallaecia, at least, there was no automatic transfer of power from imperial authorities to bishops accompanying the ‘Fall’ of the western Roman Empire or the arrival of groups such as the Suevi and Visigoths, as has often been assumed for bishops in the late Roman West. Instead, complex developments and dynamics had already been at play between these bishops and other individuals and groups in these cities for decades when these ‘invasions’ took place. Situating the lives of these bishops in their historical and economic context, Devlin demonstrates that some of these bishops had long been working to foster religious and economic connections locally and abroad that positioned them to provide their communities with economic stability and spiritual guidance. As such, many members of their local communities would have found it prudent to ally themselves with those bishops, and thus actively chose to bestow resources and power upon them.

Equally compelling are the pictures Devlin paints of the Gallaecian cities that serve as the setting for these developments. Employing a wide variety of material (architectural remains, numismatics, mosaics) and textual evidence, she lays out the physical changes to several cities in great detail. Devlin ties the cities’ physical changes into her discussion of how episcopal developments in Gallaecia were influenced by different levels of connectivity, economic development and administrative status in each. Devlin’s comparisons of the differing economic vitality and diversification between Astorga and Lugo and the resultant relationships between the bishops and other elites in the two cities are insightful. Likewise, Devlin uses the physical, economic and administrative attributes of Braga – particularly its promotion to provincial capital and its placement on Roman road networks and maritime trade routes – to narrate the growth of the city’s Christian community, and its emergence as a centre of clerical education and theology.

In one particularly illustrative instance, Devlin lays out the physical and economic changes that took place in Vigo as the city’s importance as a port city grew, and the impact its success may have had on the region’s episcopal landscape, through a consideration of the expulsion of Bishop Ortigius of Aquis Celenis (who was replaced by Bishop Exuperantius). Symphosius of Astorga supported this expulsion, and here Devlin’s exploration of his motivations for doing so is particularly relevant. Devlin argues that Symphosius had no intention of causing schism within the Church, and primarily acted in the way that he felt best for his congregation. Presenting evidence that Aquis Celenis was benefitting economically from Vigo’s increasing prominence, Devlin explores how Symphosius’ decision regarding which bishop to support may have been influenced by their perceived ability to capitalise on the opportunities Aquis Celenis provided for imperial and commercial communication and exchange. Similarly, she argues that Symphosius would likely have considered which bishop would provide the greatest potential for he himself to build beneficial religious and economic connections between Astorga (which itself occupied an important position on road networks facilitating connections with other regions of Iberia and Gaul) and Aquis Celenis. While these factors may indeed have influenced his decision-making, that Symphosius intended to cause a schism – or at the very least was willing to take actions that were likely to do so – cannot be ruled out. This is, however, a very minor point, which does not detract from the high quality of the book and strength of its overall arguments.

Devlin intentionally avoids homogeneity or generalisation, conducting a tightly focused study of Gallaecia. At the same time, building on the work of scholars such as Jorge López Quiroga, she challenges an isolationist view of the region, providing instead an illuminating picture of both economic and cultural connection with other regions of the west. Orosius and Hydatius serve as useful vehicles for Devlin to demonstrate Gallaecia’s increasing prominence and connectivity with rhetoricians, clergy, and merchants outside of Iberia. Their connections to figures such as Augustine and Jerome receive particular attention.

This book will be invaluable for those studying late Roman Gallaecia. In addition to the valuable information it contains about Gallaecia itself, however, Devlin’s research provides a valuable methodological framework, as well as fruitful ground for analyses of contemporary bishops in other regions of Iberia and further afield. As such, it will be very useful and instructive for anyone working on or interested in the development of episcopal power or the social and economic impacts of Christianity in the late Roman world more broadly.